Apple's Big In-Store iPhone Upgrade Event Begins

Apple kicked-off a big iPhone upgrade initiative in U.S. Apple Retail Stores this past week, and started sending qualifying customers emails from May 8 which read: “It’s a beautiful time for an upgrade.”

We first told you about Apple’s anticipated iPhone event a few days ago, when news concerning the “enormous” upgrade scheme first hit the Web. At the time, we noted how Cupertino was planning on sending owners of older iPhones an email encouraging them to upgrade to either the iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c.

Now, as 9to5mac notes, Apple has indeed started sending iPhone upgrade emails to customers. This started on May 8, and the text of the email (pictured above) reads:

It’s a beautiful time for an upgrade. You may be eligible for upgrade pricing on a new iPhone. And if you bring in your old iPhone to be recycled, you could get credit toward a new one. Ask us for details.

Apple has also increased the trade-in value of used iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s handsets: Cupertino is now offering $99 credit for an old iPhone 4 device, and up to $199 credit for an iPhone 4s. In-store staff have reportedly been told to promote the trade-in program as offering customers the chance of picking up an iPhone 5s for free.